Diastematomyelia: a congenital anomaly not to be confused with a giant hairy nevus.

Abstract

The role of the plastic surgeon in the diagnosis and management of congenital anomalies is often a complicated one that involves the integration of input from numerous specialists into the evaluation process. Diastematomyelia is a serious neurosurgical problem that often presents with cutaneous findings in a neurologically asymptomatic patient. Early recognition of these cutaneous manifestations by the plastic surgeon, evaluation with an MRI scan, and consultation with a pediatric neurosurgeon can prevent delayed diagnosis of this surgically correctable anomaly and irreversible neurologic sequelae.